Solomon McCombs

Solomon McCombs (Muscogee, 1913–1980) was a Native American artist from Oklahoma known for his paintings, murals, and illustrations.

McCombs worked as a muralist for the U.S. Treasury Section of Fine Arts in 1942 and as an illustrator and designer for the United States Department of State from 1956 until 1973. His paintings and murals often embraced the "Flatstyle" of painting with outlined shapes and natural colors, featuring traditional Muscogee Creek themes and narrative. He lived between Tulsa, Oklahoma and Arlington, Virginia.

Early life and education McCombs was born 1913 in Eufaula, Oklahoma to a Baptist minister. He grew up in eastern Oklahoma on a ranch and attended school in the Oak Grove community. As a child, McCombs was injured and confined to his bed, it was then he started to take an interest in fine art.

William McCombs, Solomon's paternal great uncle was a founding member of Bacone College and his cousin, Acee Blue Eagle (Muscogee, 1907–1959) was an early leader within the Art Department at the school. Solomon McCombs attended Bacone College and Tulsa University's Downtown College, studying painting, Native American customs and traditions, as well as related history of the Muscogee Creek Nation.

Career In 1941, McCombs work was in an exhibition at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. McCombs illustrated a book for author Caroline Dormon in the 1940s.

In 1963 McCombs was a founder and president of the American Indian and Eskimo Cultural Foundation of Washington, DC.

In 1978, McCombs was elected Second Chief by the Creek Nation.

Death and legacy He died on November 18, 1980, due to a stroke that occurred after surgery in the hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

His work is featured in various public art museum collections including Gilcrease Museum, Southern Plains Indian Museum, among others

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has a building dedicated to McCombs, the Solomon McCombs Building.